U.S. Arms Transfers: Government Data

American arms manufacturers have two major channels through which they can sell major weaponry to foreign countries: foreign military sales ("FMS"), in which a government-to-government agreement is negotiated by the Pentagon; and direct commercial sales ("DCS"), in which industry negotiates directly with the purchasing country and must apply for a license from the State Department.

The United States government also transfers arms to other countries by giving away weapons from U.S.military stocks for free or at greatly reduced prices, classified as excess defense articles (EDA) or emergency "drawdowns." The United States also provides military training to many foreign countries. These transfers are also managed by the Defense Department. For more information about types of U.S.arms transfers, read the "Ways and Means" chapter of The Arms Trade Revealed.

Foreign Military Sales, Foreign Military Construction Sales and Military Assistance Facts is published by the Pentagon's Defense Security Cooperation Agency; the most current online edition includes information through FY 2009.

World Military Expenditures and Arms Transfers (WMEAT) is published by the U.S. State Department. Starting with the 1997 edition, the WMEAT report includes estimates of direct commercial sales based on licenses authorized. Prior to the 1997 report, figures for U.S. arms sales were probably understated.